Craig rubbed his eyes again and looked over at the mirror. He saw the same thing as before scales, claws and fangs. He started to breathe heavily and his heart started racing faster than he thought was possible but the only thing that was faster was his thoughts badgering around in his head. Whatthefuckwhatthefuckwhatthefuckhowdidthishappenisthisrealitcan'tbe realnoneofofthisisrealitcan'tbeitsjustadreamjustabaddreamrightyepcompletelyabaddreamcan'tberealjustgottaheadbacktosleepandit won'tbereali'llwakeupjustnormalandfineperfectly normalandfinewellasnormalasigetaminormalithinkimnormalwhateverjuststopthinkingandgetbacktosleep.
Craig quickly left the bathroom before getting back to his room, quickly closing and locking the door behind him and wrapping himself in his covers before attempting to shut his mind up. He couldn't fall back asleep with all of these thoughts racing around his head like this; he couldn't focus back on reality. I can't do this right now. He shoved the covers off of him before burying his face in now clawed hands.
I just need to blow off some steam quickly. He then picked up his large black hoodie off of his dresser and snagged his baseball cap. He quietly moved through the darkness of his apartment silently and quietly before leaving out to the streets slipping out into the night.
Craig made his way down the streets of Cifer; he knew the streets well. He's been here for quite a while now he's got an idea of where everything is where each corner leads. Craig was trying to clear his head quietly; attempting to summon the lyrics to the last song he heard. Trying to find some distraction away from his current reptilian condition. It was hard to ignore the fact that he could now see perfectly without his glasses, the fact that he can hear much better than before, the way his fangs now kind of clashed against each other in his mouth now and how his new claws felt against his skin. Trying to focus on the lyrics to one of his favorite songs, Doomsday, how he desperately wanted the money for a walkman or something to listen to music.
But the only thing on his mind was just everything he was trying to ignore down to the way the wind blew against his now scaly cheeks.
This is just amazing. Right as I was about to get to college…What am I gonna do in class? How do I even explain this?! What would Dad think? If he saw this he might have a heart attack. Oh god if Mary saw this she'd be so scared. Oh she might get made fun of or bullied like I did in school because of…this…Mom what would you do?
"Give us your purse now!" said the tall man in his gruff raspy voice as he and his slightly shorter friend stood over a crying woman. "Please just leave me alone!" the woman let out through exasperated gasps and tears. She had bruises all over her arms as she laid crying down on the ground. Craig walked on nearby the scene from across the street pondering on whether to intervene or mind his own business. It wasn't his obligation to help or do anything, what could he do except get beat up for some woman he's never met before? Maybe he could just try to find a payphone to call the police or something but otherwise not much. Just as he was about to leave, the two thugs pulled out their guns, aiming the barrel at the woman. The shorter man screamed at her, "Shut up and give us the damn purse! Do you want to die?"
The taller man looked over to the shorter guy leaning over a little bit to attempt whispering. "Do we really hafta kill this girl Marty? I really don't wanna have that on my conscience." Marty, while still pointing his gun at the woman on the floor who was still crying, pinched the bridge of his nose because of how his 'friend' sucked at whispering. "Well before we didn't have to Charlie as long as she gave us the bag." Marty said through strained teeth before his eventual explosion. "Now we have to cause you just told her our fucking names, you dumb bag of bricks!" "But Marty you just said my n-." "Charlie. Shut up." said the angry short man baffled by his 'friend's' sheer stupidity before realizing Craig was across the street behind them watching everything that had just happened in the last minute or so, probably hearing everything. Craig realized he's been noticed before he could decide what to do; becoming now fully involved whether he'd like to be or not.
Oh shit.
"God dammit Charlie. Now we have to kill two people now. This dumb bitch who couldn't just give us her purse and now this kid over here cause of your dumbass saying our fucking names!" said Marty, pissed off as ever. Charlie let out a sigh feeling guilty that he's now caused Marty all of this grief right as Marty aimed his gun at the kid in the hoodie and baseball cap right across the street. Craig was stunned with fear as his eyes focused on the barrel of the gun now in front of him as images of every moment in his life flashed before his eyes and a slight tinge crawled up slowly against the base of his spine.
BANG
A trail of smoke left Marty's pistol and the casing of the bullet clacked against the pavement. All signs that Marty did in fact fire his gun, so why was this kid still standing?
"Uh Marty…I think you missed your shot? " said Charlie, slightly confused looking at the kid. Did I miss, I never miss…did this freak just dodge a bullet? No that's impossible, I probably just missed. "Charlie shut it." said Marty. At least that's what it sounded like as the second shot roared through the night. But the kid was still standing a little over to the right this time. The two thugs and the victim had their jaws dropped to the floor at what they've just witnessed in complete shock of this random dodging a bullet not just once but twice.
Craig was instinctively reacting to the bullets as they came closer to him he just managed to move out of the way, naturally almost like playing dodgeball except the ball could kill you. He looked back at them with just as much surprise as them before something slowly welled up in him as he processed the situation, rage.
"You just shot at me. TWICE!" he yelled as he began to march towards his assailants. Marty and Charlie looked on in slight terror as they saw this freak of nature charge at them. "Marty what do we do?!" yelped Charlie as he kept nearing closer and closer. "Calm down, it's just some stupid trick, just shoot at him again!" Marty said, shooting again at the kid, with Craig dodging it again before approaching Marty, skipping a step and aiming a turning kick to his chest. Marty slightly moved out of the way before hearing the wall behind him crumble at this freak's foot. Craig thought that just a quick combo would be enough to knock this guy out quickly before he dealt with the other one. Normally he'd be right but he was a bit stronger than he usually was, or a lot stronger to be more accurate after all, he's broken boards before with his kicks, but never an entire concrete wall with a kick. This was pretty new.
Ok first I'm growing fangs, scales and claws, then I'm dodging bullets and now I'm kicking down walls. This has been quite the night so far. I probably should slow everything down a bit if I hit that guy with that kick just now…let's just not think about that.
Charlie looked on at the rubble in horror as Marty fell to the ground in shock of the strength of this freak right in front of him. Charlie quickly aimed his pistol at the freak in the baseball cap as he stood in awe of his own strength.
BANG
Craig was too distracted to dodge the gun fire completely as the bullet tore through his scale ridden cheek. He screamed out in pain clasping his hand against the gash on his cheek. The two thugs had a brief second of relief as Craig reeled in pain all before sheer terror shook them as Craig glanced back at Charlie. Craig's green eye pierced through Charlie as he could feel the animosity now directed towards him. Without a second thought Craig moved towards him hitting him with a clean spinning tornado kick that sent Charlie flying back into a trash can instantly knocking him out. Marty stood back up and fired several rounds at this freak of nature. "Why you! Just leave me alone!" he said before his face and the bottom of Craig's sneakers had a firm greeting. He was knocked out cold inside a trash can from the sheer force.
Craig was still a little stirred from the adrenaline but at least it helped him forget briefly that he just got shot in the face. Well that helped me blow off steam. Craig then turned his attention back at the woman he just technically saved. He almost forgot about her, he looked down at her trying to think of what to say. "I'd probably call the police. If I were you." he said kind of matter of factly. He didn't even stop to really consider her feelings or emotions. The woman looked on through tears trying to gather herself again so that she could talk but she couldn't get any words out she just kept choking on her own tears and sniffling. Craig kind of looked on a bit awkwardly; he didn't fully understand how to handle this scenario. "Uh there's a phone booth at the end of this block about that way." Jeez this is pretty awkward. "If you need some change here," he said, fumbling around through one of his pockets before handing her a handful of quarters. The woman tried wiping her tears away even though they were still flowing out as she shook her head no and then opened her purse quickly to pull out her flip phone."Oh I guess that works then. Uh I'm gonna go ahead and go now…Oh wait those two idiots." Craig said motioning to the two thugs he just knocked out and stuffed into trash cans. "I hit them pretty hard so they shouldn't be waking up for at least another hour or two so you should be fine." The woman slowly nodded her head through her tears and pressed the buttons on her phone, almost dropping it a few times. Craig kind of just slowly backed away before quickly muttering. "You're welcome, I guess." The woman finally spoke up through her tears before the operator answered the call, "Thank you."
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40 Minutes Later
Craig returned quietly still with his sister and father completely out cold, he slipped into the bathroom again tired and exhausted before looking back in the mirror. He saw the gash that had formed on his cheek from the gunshot had already closed up. Craig peered closer into the mirror and checked again. He was sure he got shot but the wound was already healing. Ok maybe there's some benefits for…whatever this is that's happening to me. But still, I just want to be normal. Craig was slightly calmer than he was before all of this. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second accepting the changes that had now taken place in his body. But when he opened his eyes the scales, the fangs and the claws were gone. He looked again at the mirror somewhat confused. Did none of what just happened even happen? Craig looked at his cheek again and the wound was gone. Craig, just about fed up with everything that had happened tonight let out a sigh before leaving the bathroom and crashing into his bed, nice and fast asleep. He really needed it.
Craig's alarm started blaring as he let out a groan. He cracked his spine and walked towards the bathroom doing his usual morning routine. After brushing his teeth he walked over to the living room with his father awake in the morning for the first time in a while watching the news on their old TV. Huh, haven't seen that in a while. I wonder what woke him up so early. "G-" Craig looked on at the news through his sleepy eyes in abject terror.
Last night the police were called in at about 3:15 am. There was an assault on a woman, in the alleyway across from 42nd and Lehnsher, by two male individuals wielding firearms. However, when the police got there, both individuals were knocked out and the woman was in hysterics and gave a report saying the two of them tried to rob her but there was a third individual that showed up and intervened. The third person was described by the woman as something akin to a superhuman. The third man was alleged to be dodging gunfire, breaking walls with single strikes, to have a gunshot wound on one of their cheeks, scales on their face, sharp fangs, claws and a black hoodie with a large dragon on the back. The individual proceeded to knock out her assailants and afterwards apparently ran away from the scene of the crime. Due to destruction of the nearby buildings and vigilantism the police have sent out a warrant for his arrest and an award for anyone who can find or identify this scaly scoundrel.
You've gotta be kidding me. So that was all real and now on top of this thing happening to me I'm a wanted vigilante.
Craig thought as he watched on at the news but he tried his best to mask his reaction and feelings. As his father sighs, quickly parting his dark hair and looking back at Craig with the dark circles under his eyes looking deeper than the day before. This wasn't anything new for Craig or his father. After all, Craig inherited that same tired look in his eyes when he turned 11 but there was still concern over his father's deteriorating sleep schedule.
"Cifer gets more and more dangerous each day. " said the sleep deprived single father.
"Yeah." said Craig. "Oscuro keeps getting worse, the crime rate's been horrid . I just wish someone could finally fix it." Papa Warren walked over to the kitchen to go brew a cup of coffee. "Well hopefully that vigilante guy can at least scare the other criminals off a bit at least until he gets arrested because those cops are barely getting the job done." Craig suddenly heard the house phone ring and picked it up. He gave a confused look as he answered since it was rare for them to get a call this early in the morning.
"Hello?" said Craig halfway between a yawn. As he suddenly jolted back hearing his boss yelling to come in soon. Craig sighed as the older Warren handed him a cup of coffee recognizing the same look in Craig's face. "Dad sorry about this but can you-" "Don't worry about it kiddo I can take care of Mary today while you go to work and taekwondo." Craig looked to his left as his father mentioned taekwondo with a bit of a hiss in his breath. "Yeah dad about that…I went in yesterday and sensei Aiko said that the dojo was getting shut down. Some new guy came in and bought the building from the landlord." Craig then looked down as he said it. "So I guess for now or at least the next 2 weeks I got more free time to handle Mary now? At least till I move in." "I'm sorry to hear that kiddo. I know how important that dojo was to you." "It's fine. I'll figure something out." said Craig as he entered his room quickly to change into some clothes that weren't incriminating for work. "Maybe I'll ask Nathan what he's gonna do now if I see him later." said Craig as he was tying his shoes. Before snagging his bag, folded up bike and camera. "Alright Craig have a good day at work I'll pick up a pizza for dinner later!" his dad said as Craig ran out the door. "Please get pepperoni!"
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Craig parked his bike right outside a large building with Ditko plastered in large letters at the top. He then began shuffling around in his bag, eventually finding his bike lock and locked up his bike in the rack. Then ran into the building pressing an elevator button and rising up to floor 26.
He walked around an office with a bunch of people typing at the computers on their desks waving to a few people as he passed by. A hi here and there, a good morning, a few bright and awkward smiles back. He eventually found his way to the big office at the back of the office and opened the door after taking a quick sigh. "Hey there morning Mr. Br-" "Who's there?! Haven't you heard of knocking?" said a gruff voice from behind the door.
Craig realizing his rude mistake quickly closed the door again before knocking on the door quickly to a tune in his head. "Come in!" said the gruff voice now in a much more cheery tone. Craig then entered the door seeing his boss there a tall older man sat in a nice office chair with his hands folded. Mr. Brock looked as per usual the same suspenders, black tie and blue shirt combo with his black and grey flat top and goatee combo. Mr. Brock then motioned for Craig to close the door as Craig sat down, his gruff voice asked. "You're a bit late Craig. " As Craig was about to answer why he was about to complain about the Oscuro traffic. Mr. Brock chimed in again " Nevermind that. Do you have the photos I told you to get yesterday?" "Uh yes sir. Here." Craig motioned around in his satchel and laid a stack of photos on his desk. Mr. Brock picked them up then examined them one by one nodding as he goes through each one. "Much better than the last ones you gave me." Craig had a slight grin on his face as he spoke out of joy and a bit out of embarrassment. "Well, I had my little sister with me when I was taking them. She's got a eye for photography herself." "Huh, maybe she'll see a career here too when she's older, I'll give you a bit more for these photos since the quality is much better than the last ones. Anyways.do you know why I called you in here? " Mr. Brock said as he slurped up his coffee.
No, you were speaking way too fast over the phone.
"Uh not really sir. It was really hard to hear you over the phone. You were breaking up pretty badly." "Have you seen the news this morning about that vigilante the other night?" questioned Mr. Brock. Oh shit "Uh yeah. That guy seemed super scary." Please dont think its me please dont think its me "I want you to keep an eye out for that guy when you're taking photos and if possible try to snag at least one. He's a bit popular right now so photos of him would be nice." Phew. Wait, how am I gonna pull that off? "Alright Mr.Brock but that guy seems like a pretty dangerous guy. Is there a chance I coul-" "Yes Warren I'll pay you double for any photos with him in the next few weeks. I know you're headed to college right now as well. After all, I helped you with that scholarship to that fancy school." "Thank you again for that sir." "Don't mention it. We'll figure something out for you in order for you to keep your job here. Anyways James also needs help with the website so go help him with that please and when you're done I'll give you your next assignments. "Yes sir." Craig got up from his chair and began to head to the door to walk out and get to fixing the site. "Warren, wait!" Craig paused as he felt a tinge creep up his spine as a bit of terror overcame him. Did Mr. Brock piece it together? That quickly. "Can you hand me a sugar packet from outside? I forgot to put sugar in my coffee." said Mr. Brock quite candidly. Craig let out a quick sigh as walked off to go grab some sugar then get to work for the rest of the day.
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Craig walked out of the Ditko building and unlocked his bike. He then started pedaling down the streets as the wind blew through his hair and thoughts dashed through his head. He kept thinking about the other night and the changes he was going through questioning how this was happening and what could be causing it. As he was zoning out he realized where he was, right outside of his now former dojo. He looked on in sadness at his now closed dojo. His second home is now gone and one of the best gifts from his mother he had.
Craig couldn't stop looking on somberly at the building before hearing a familiar voice from his right.
"Sup Warren!" said a young man about the same age as Craig but a couple inches taller. He had short brown hair, piercing red eyes and a skateboard under his arm, in a graphic tee paired with a walkman. Craig snapped out of his sad look before a slight smile formed on his face as their hands met and clasped together creating a slight echo. "Hey Nathan." said Craig
"You just happened by the dojo too?" said Nathan
Craig nodded and looked back at it with a slight hint of sadness then back to Nathan. "I just came here on instinct. I miss coming by and training right after work. It was relaxing." "Yeah I get what you mean. I miss being able to blow off steam here but I do have a new place to go to." Nathan replied with a slight smirk. Craig raised an eyebrow curious at the prospect.
"What's this new place?" "I'll show you, follow me. " said Nathan as he placed his skateboard on the ground about to take off.
"I can't, I, uh, gotta go home and help with Mary before my Dad leaves. I'd rather not leave her alone. " "Craig she's like 10 right? She can handle herself for a little bit while you're away. It'll be 30 minutes at most. Real quick, just in and out." Craig looked down to the ground he should head back but the prospect was tempting. He also was hoping to find some place to figure out his powers in private. The temptation was great but Craig found his curiosity of his powers a bit greater. "You're right but still she's my favorite and only sister. I gotta take care of her, man. Maybe you could show it to me tomorrow? " Craig chirped out. Nathan sighed and gave a discrete eye roll to Craig's response."Fine. Meet me back here at 4 tomorrow. I'll see you later Craig." Nathan reached his hand out to clasp Craig's as a clap was produced from their handshake and then he darted off down the street opposite from Craig.
Craig pedalled down the street towards his apartment building thinking of this new place to train but more so on the changes his body has gone through.
As he arrived home he was greeted by Mary. "Hey bro, dad just left for his shift. He bought pizza and zeppoli for dinner. " she said unusually quickly. Craig, noticing this, immediately checked the pizza box and the zeppoli. He saw 2 missing slices from the pepperoni pie and a suspicious amount of zeppoli gone from the bag. Craig looked down at his sister with a tired look. "Mary. How many?" Mary quickly wiped away the nutella filling and powdered sugar that remained on her cheeks before sheepishly answering her big brother's inquiry. "Two…"
"Mary Eriena Warren." "Ok it was 4 but they had nutella you can't blame me for that, you like nutella as much as I do!" "Hmm…" Craig reached in the bag and quickly stuffed a zeppoli in his mouth. "Touche. But no more, that's way too much sugar for you. Now is that one show on now? " said Craig. Mary picked up the Tv remote off of their dad's bed aka the couch before turning on the TV to the CN channel as a guy with a sword in a white cloak popped up. Even if he didn't have superpowers to worry about now, there was always gonna be his job, school and his little sister to be concerned over.